Man killed in point-blank shooting at South Loop gas station

Junius Thurston was standing in a BP gas station lot in the 1000 block of South Desplaines Street when someone got out of a black Audi and opened fire, police said.

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Chicago police investigate a fatal shooting May 7, 2020, at BP gas station, 1004 S. Desplaines St.

Chicago police investigate a fatal shooting May 7, 2020, at BP gas station, 1004 S. Desplaines St.

Sam Kelly/Sun-Times

A 33-year-old man was chased down by a gunman and killed Thursday night at a South Loop gas station.

The attack happened as the man stepped out of his car and approached the service window of a BP in the 1000 block of South Desplaines Street, Chicago police said.

Surveillance video shows a black Audi pull up about 10:20 p.m. and a rear passenger open fire, police said.

As the man ran north from the station, the gunman got out of the car and chased after him, firing more shots, police said.

The gunman caught up with the man, who collapsed on the ground, and fired more shots directly above him, police said.

Junius Thurston, of Woodlawn, was taken to Stroger Hospital and pronounced dead, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Police said he was shot multiple times.

The gunman drove off with two other people, police said.

Detectives, who believe the shooting was gang-related, collected 25 shell casings from the scene, police said.

Officers at the BP gas station, on the corner of Taylor and Desplaines streets, laid evidence markers near shell casings and a pool of blood, and spoke to employees who stood outside the shattered glass door of the gas station’s kiosk.

Area Three detectives are conducting a homicide investigation. No arrests have been reported.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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